(Jay would later explain in an interview that Kanye had been given four tickets, but had wanted two more tickets.) Expecting an opportunity to perform, he's said that he was asked to buy two tickets instead. But one thing was clear: Jay was the boss.Īlways extremely confident in his abilities (and always feeling they're less-than-appropriately appreciated) Kanye got humbled on November 23, 2003, the night of Jay's all-star extravaganza "retirement" concert at Madison Square Garden. And eventually, of course, he did a get his deal as a solo artist. Kanye became one of Jay’s go-to producers, revolutionizing hip-hop production with his sped-up soul sample technique. Jay's eyes lit up at the line, "I'm killing y'all on that lyrical shit/Mayonnaise-colored Benz I push miracle whips." But Kanye hadn't proven himself enough to get a deal at Roc-A-Fella Records, at least not yet. Unwilling to confront Jay with such criticism at that point, Kanye did decide to rap for him. He hadn't wanted " introspective, complicated-rhyming" Jay, he's said.
When Kanye heard the completed version, which would appear on the album, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, his initial reaction was one of disappointment. The two met for the first time thirteen years ago, after Jay had just recorded "This Can't Be Life"-a song Kanye produced. Rivalry is a part of any sibling relationship, and Kanye West's relationship with the man he calls his " Big Brother," Jay Z, is no exception.